An MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft equipped with the Pandora electronic warfare suite aided in attacking simulated air defenses during a demo at MCAS Yuma, Ariz., Northrop Grumman announced. The MQ-9 worked in tandem with Marine Corps EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft to carry out a “multi-node” attack capable of taking down more advanced air defense networks, stated the Jan. 22 release. “We demonstrated operational concepts using a layered approach to electronic warfare,” explained Marine Corp Assistant Deputy Aviation Commandant Brig. Gen. Matthew Glavy.”By conducting multiple events with a networked, pod-based jamming system, we were able to evaluate the viability of unmanned aerial vehicles to conduct electronic warfare missions…in support of tactical strike aircraft,” said Glavy. A Reaper flew a similar exercise last April, but the Oct. 22 trial—just announced—marked the first time it flew as part of a larger electronic strike package, the company said.
A new report from the Government Accountability Office calls for the Pentagon’s Chief Technology Officer to have budget certification authority over the military services’ research and development accounts—a move the services say would add a burdensome and unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.
